How to work out your daily word count goal
Your daily word count goal is your total words divided by the number of days you will actually write. Here is the maths, with examples.
The formula
Daily goal = total words ÷ number of writing days. Round up, so you finish on time.
Worked examples
- 50,000 words in 30 days: 1,667 words a day
- 30,000 words in 30 days: 1,000 words a day
- 10,000 words in 30 days: 334 words a day
- 80,000 words in 90 days: 889 words a day
- 50,000 words over 22 writing days (five days a week): 2,273 words a day
Plan for the days you will miss
Count only the days you can really write, or leave a buffer day each week. A goal that assumes every single day is the easiest one to fall behind on.
Catching up
Take the words you still need and divide by the days you have left. If you are 20,000 words short with 10 days to go, that is 2,000 words a day, or you can move the deadline. Falling behind is information, not failure.
Let the app do it
Novel Grove works out your daily target from your goal and your dates, and gives you options when you fall behind: raise the daily target, adjust the goal, or extend the deadline.
Questions
Is 1,667 words a day realistic?
It is what a 50,000-word goal over 30 days needs. A smaller goal needs less each day, and you can set any word count and dates in Novel Grove.
Do I have to write every day?
No. Divide by the number of days you will write instead, and the daily number goes up a little.